Climbing structure for playgrounds



Sept. 20, 1932. D. D. FERRELL 1,877,833

CLIMBING STRUCTURE FOR PLAYGROUNDS Original Filed Aug. 9. 1929 5lnve/vfor I AM 4. 7M FIG". 5 l2 Patented Sept. 20, 1932 DANIELDLFERRELL, or oTTAwA, ILLINOIS, AssreNoIt To J. n'. oRTnitoonro1sA Io 0FOTTAWA, ILLINOIS, A con jonA xo oF nLI oIs CLIMBING STRUCTURE Ton;IELAYGBQUND'S; 1

Refilcd for abandoned application Serial No. 384,607, fi1 ed Aug ust 9,1929. This application filed Noveine her 3, 1930. SerialNQ. 4 935079. li v My invention relates to climbing structures to be placed inplaygrounds for children to climb upon, the structures being usuallyplaced in public playgrounds where they are available to large numbersof children. The structures employed for this purpose consist ofuprights to which are secured horizontal members in such a manner thatthe children may climb from one horizontal member to another. Ordinarilythe horizontal members are bolted onto uprights made of pipe, and heldthereon by nuts placed upon the threaded end of the bolt. This manner ofsecuring the horizontal members is objectionable for the reason that thenuts are exposed and children playing on the structure scrape againstthem and bruise their bodies and oftentimes tear their clothing. It isan ob ject of my invention to eliminate these objectionable features andproduce a structure wherein the nuts holding the bolts are so positionedthat children cannot scrape against them or tear their clothing, therebymaking a safe structure in all respects for children to play upon. Myinvention also consists of additional features described in thespecification and set forth in the claims.

This application is a substitute for applicants prior applicationbearing Serial No. 384,607.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a climbing structureembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view in elevation on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3, excepting a modified form of fasteningmeans is shown.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a climbing structure containingmy invention, wherein are shown uprights 6 and horizontal cross members7 secured to the side of the upright. While the drawing shows astructure having four uprights, it will be understood that by increasingthe number of uprights and lengthening the cross members the structurecan be extended to any size desirable. The uprights 6 are formed with achannel extending throughout their length,

and are preferably made of channel ,iron or Ubar, and the cross membersare preferably made of pipe or tubing and are spaced apart" suitabledistances, so that children can readi'-' ly climb upon them. Theuprights-6 may be connected together in pairs by archedportions8,"asshow'n in the drawing, but the arched portions are not essential in'theuse of my invention.

The cross members are secured to the up rights by means of U bolts 9,the Ubolt being placed around the pipe, and the threaded ends insertedthrough holes in the uprights and tightly held therein by nuts 10 placedon the threaded ends of theU'bolt. In this manner the cross members canbe drawn close to the uprights so that they cannot turn'or slide in thebolt. Fig. '5 shows a modified form of securing the cross members to theupright, wherein straight shafted bolts '11 are used in place ofU bolts.The bolts 11 are inserted through holes made in the cross members andthrough the upright and fastened thereon by means of a nut,substantiallythe same manner as the U bolt.

It will be apparentthatthenuts securingthe bolts will be within thechannel formed in the uprights and therefore out of the way, so that theouter surface of the upright is smooth and unobstructed, permittingchildren to play on the structure without coming in contact with thenuts on the bolts which eliminates bruises on them and avoids tearingtheir clothes.

If it is desired to have the nuts on the bolts holding the cross membersso that they cannot be seen, a block 12, preferably made of wood, may beplaced in that portion of the channel in the upright where the nuts arelocated. The block may be secured to the upclothing. The structure isalso easily assembled by unskilled labor and makes a very desirablepiece of playground equipment.

What I claim is:

1. In climbing structures for playgrounds the combination with crossbars, of uprights having a channeled recess throughout their length andbolts engaging the cross bars with the uprights having means thereonwithin the channeled recess of the uprights to hold the cross bars anduprights in engagement whereby the outer surface of the uprights isrendered smooth and unobstructed.

2. In climbing structures for playgrounds the combination with crossbars of uprights having a channeled recess throughout their length,bolts engaging the cross bars with the uprights and nuts on the boltswithin the channeled recess to hold the cross bars in engagement withthe uprights, whereby the outer surface of the uprights is renderedsmooth and unobstructed.

3. In climbing structures for playgrounds the combination with crossbars, of uprights having a channeled recess throughout their length,bolts engaging the cross bars with the uprights, nuts on the boltswithin the channeled recess of the uprights to hold the cross bars inengagement with the uprights when the nuts are tightened on the boltswhereby the outer surface of the uprights is rendered smooth andunobstructed, and blocks adapted to be fitted into the channelimmediately over the nuts to enclose the nuts on the open side of thechannel.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

DANIEL D. FERRELL.

